Tokyo Diplomat Travels to Beijing for Talks, First Such Exchange Since New Leaders Have Taken Power

TOKYO—After months of much tension and little dialogue, Japan and China are edging gingerly toward repairing diplomatic relations, seeking ways to contain the fallout from a territorial row, even without any clear sign of how to resolve it.

Tokyo's highest-ranking career diplomat traveled to Beijing on Monday for two days of talks to "exchange opinions on a broad range of issues" with Chinese officials, Japan's chief government spokesman said. It was the first time for the foreign ministry's top official to meet...